wail

Word Origin & History

early 14c., from Old Norse væla "to lament," from væ "woe" (see woe). Of jazz musicians, "to play very well," attested from 1955, American English slang (wailing "excellent" is attested from 1954). Related: Wailed.

Example Sentences for wail

Linda looked at her as she buried her face and began to wail.

She was too terrified to add her weeping to the wail of the wind—it would have been too ghastly.

It's the wail of a lost spirit, loosed temporarily from the horrors of purgatory.

The voice changed into what was almost a wail of indignation.

No shriek, no wail, no word succeeded—all was as silent as the grave.

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